Trigger Warning: This article includes discussion of alleged sexual assault, with details.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has defended his friendship with Marilyn Manson following allegations of sexual abuse against the musician. Corgan said he did not personally believe Manson, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner, was guilty of the charges. In 2021, several women accused Manson of abuse, including his former partner Evan Rachel Wood.
Billy Corgan Defends Marilyn Manson Friendship Amid Abuse Allegations
Corgan discussed the matter during a conversation with Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli on Popcast of The New York Times. He said, “As a Christian person, you have to stand by your friends, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have an opinion, and that doesn’t mean you’re not critical.” The 59-year-old said he “personally didn’t feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with, and ultimately the fact that the D.A. didn’t pursue.”
He further stated, “I don’t want the world to tell me who my friends are and who I should associate with. That’s [political or social]. In Brian’s case, we have a relationship that goes back close to 30 years.” Corgan revealed that Manson’s wife, Lindsay Usich, is the twin sister of the wife of his Smashing Pumpkins bandmate, James Iha. He said the connection made Manson “basically a part of our family.”
He said that he was familiar with certain details of the case and knew some of the people involved, which influenced his assessment. However, he stressed that anyone found guilty in such a situation should go to jail. “I’m not saying I have any moral supremacy here. I’m saying it’s a case-by-case basis. This kind of witch mob thing bothers me,” he added.
In 2021, Wood alleged that Manson groomed her as a teenager and “horrifically abused” her during their relationship between 2007 and 2010. The pair first met when she was 18. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wood shared a statement on Instagram, which has since been deleted. She said, “I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail.”
Manson sued Wood for defamation in 2022 but dropped the lawsuit in 2024. He also agreed to cover her legal fees. Following Wood’s post, at least four other women came forward with similar allegations of abuse. Game of Thrones actress Esmé Blanco also accused Manson of sexual abuse. However, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office investigated the allegations and declined to file charges in 2025.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
